Speech by Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands to the European Parliament,

20 January 2016
Mr President, Martin,
ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour to address you today, as prime minister of the country that for the next six
months has the privilege of holding the Presidency of the EU Council. Its a fine tradition that
each new Presidency outlines its plans before the Parliament. But its also entirely logical
because the European Parliament is where all the lines of the EU converge. So well be
working together closely over the next few months. The Dutch Presidency looks forward to
this opportunity, I can assure you. Together with you, we will work hard to achieve as much
as possible for the people of Europe.
How we see the EU depends in part on when and where we were born. I was born in 1967
and, living in The Hague, my familys conversation at the dinner table often revolved around
politics and society. Including the latest developments in European cooperation. Like the first
direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979 a discussion I still remember very
clearly. I was only twelve, so I couldnt vote yet. But I felt it was a big deal. After all, for my
parents generation, European cooperation was linked directly to history. For that generation,
above all, it meant nie wieder Krieg no more war.
For younger generations, Europe doesnt carry the same emotional charge. If at all. The
reality is that many people are slowly but surely growing sceptical about the EU. The way
they see it, the EU interferes in their lives for no good reason, while achieving very few real
results. Its benefits seem far removed from everyday life. At the same time rightly or
wrongly the irritation people feel about rules made in Brussels is never far away. Theres
only one way for you and me to counteract this: we need to achieve concrete results and
make sure they are visible. And we need to stick to areas where the EU can achieve more
than member states can by themselves. In short, Europe must be relevant to peoples daily
lives. And over the next few months, the Netherlands wants to help make that happen.
Its clear that the Netherlands is taking over the Presidency of the EU in difficult times. Were
seeing a massive influx of refugees, fleeing a bloody conflict thats happening all too close
by. The situation on our eastern border is also complex and fragile, and the EUs relations
with Russia are troubled. The barbaric attacks in Paris have shown once again that we
cannot take our free and democratic way of life for granted. And all this is going on while
Europe is recovering from the worst economic crisis since the Second World War. Far too
AVT16/AZ117848

many people are still unemployed. None of these problems can be solved by a single country
acting alone. The countries of Europe share a big responsibility.
Against this backdrop, the Netherlands has been preparing intensively for the Council
Presidency. Two months ago, for example, I welcomed a delegation from this Parliament at
the Hall of Knights in The Hagues Binnenhof, at the heart of our parliamentary democracy. It
was a successful, productive visit, and we addressed a number of pressing issues. But there
was also a historical symbolism to the occasion. Because the Hall of Knights played a
special role in the early history of European cooperation.
In 1948, it was the venue of the Congress of Europe, which would go down in history as the
dawn of the European Community. The Congress was attended by 750 delegates from 26
European countries. Politicians and academics, artists and journalists, philosophers and
business leaders. They included great Europeans whom we remember to this day. From
Konrad Adenauer and Jean Monnet to Altiero Spinelli and Paul-Henri Spaak. The events
honorary chairman was Winston Churchill, who spoke passionately about the importance of
cooperation based on common values, common economic interests and common security
needs. Three pillars that have lost none of their relevance.
The Congress in The Hague laid the foundations for the Council of Europe, the European
Coal and Steel Community and the Treaty of Rome. It even discussed only three years
after the end of the Second World War the idea of a monetary union, a single market
without borders and a representative assembly. It was a conference full of lofty ideals and
grand institutional visions. And in the decades that followed, those ideals and visions would
slowly but surely take concrete form.
One of the Dutch delegates was foreign minister Dirk Stikker. Fifty years ago, when he
published his memoirs, Stikker looked back at the early days of European cooperation, which
he called an age-old dream. He wrote, It has been attempted by conquerors, pondered by
philosophers, sought by scholars, and sabotaged as well as extolled by politicians often at
the same time. It is not a simple thing, to be accomplished with a bit of good will and the
stroke of a pen.
This is the tradition in which we stand today. Europe is a large, complex, shared project that
can only move forward one step at a time. I dont believe that anyone in those early years
could have imagined quite how complex the project would be at times both technically and
politically. But the founders might also have been pleasantly surprised at many of the things
the member states have jointly achieved over the years. Our free and open democratic
systems. The unprecedented prosperity and welfare enjoyed by Europeans today. The
AVT16/AZ117848

power of our single market. We can be proud of these achievements, but we must be
vigilant, too. Because they need to be maintained.
This is the tradition in which we will fulfil our duties as Presidency holder. The tradition of
cooperation that transcends what countries can achieve alone. The tradition of working, step
by step, towards a goal. We must be committed and determined, but also pragmatic and
realistic. Thats the approach we want.
And I promise you that well put our long Dutch experience of coalition-building and
consultation to full use. Theres plenty for us to build upon. Take the political priorities of the
European Commission. Or the strategic agenda of the European Council. And lets not forget
the calculation made by this parliament: that were missing out on up to 1.25 trillion euros a
year by not making full use of the single market for example in the digital domain. In short,
Europe doesnt need new lofty ideals or grand visions. It needs results. It needs to deliver.
And for that, we first need to follow up on what weve agreed. Keeping promises and sticking
to agreements should be the new normal in Europe. A deal is a deal. Thats a key principle
for the Dutch Presidency.
Of course, I say that partly in the light of the most urgent issue we face at the moment: the
continual flow of refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries. Its crucial that the
agreements we made with Turkey late last year are carried out fast, to relieve the pressure
on our external borders. Its crucial to offer refugees a humanitarian alternative to risking their
lives at sea in flimsy boats. We need safe reception in the region. Its also crucial that we get
Europes borders under control, especially in Greece. And that the hotspots weve agreed
are put in place. And its crucial to get the registration of refugees sorted out as soon as
possible, as agreed, so that every member state can play its part. Were all in this together.
Its precisely at difficult times like this that we need that shared sense of responsibility. Let
me be clear: the current numbers arent sustainable. We are running out of time. We need a
sharp reduction in the coming six to eight weeks.
So it is both logical and necessary that we devote a lot of our time and energy to the refugee
crisis in the months ahead. That is a priority, and the Netherlands Presidency will give it as
much focus as possible. At the same time, Id like to commend the European Parliament on
its study of The Cost of Non-Europe, which I mentioned a moment ago. Because however
pressing many issues are, we cannot lose sight of our long-term goals in areas like
innovation, economic growth and job creation. Were putting the economic crisis behind us,
and the European economy is picking up again. But one in ten adult Europeans is still out of
work, and that is simply too many. And for young people its very hard to get a foot in the

AVT16/AZ117848

labour-market door. So its good to see the European Parliament mapping ways of getting
more people in work.
A key goal of the Dutch Presidency is to move forward with all existing initiatives, plans and
projects aimed at innovative growth and more jobs. And, of course, enhancing the stability of
the eurozone will remain a focus of those efforts. But above all we must seize the existing
opportunities in our internal market. The figure I mentioned before 1.25 trillion euros is
double the size of the Dutch economy. It would mean millions of jobs for millions of people.
We cant ignore that opportunity. How would we explain that to future generations? I believe
that the Commission, the Council, and you the members of the European Parliament
broadly agree on what we want to achieve here. The Dutch Presidency will do all it can to
foster a good working dynamic. And to ensure that the institutions can work together as
effectively as possible. For the sake of all those in Europe who are desperately trying to find
work. Above all, our young people.
Ladies and gentlemen, the debate on the future of our European institutions is going on in
one way or other in almost every member state. I believe there is growing consensus that
the EU needs to focus on areas where cooperation is either essential, such as the migration
issue, or clearly adds value, such as the single market. Focus includes cutting back the
excessive regulations that restrict people and companies. Our Presidency fully endorses the
Commissions priorities and work programme, which are founded on these principles.
Its good that we are debating the Unions future so openly. And I say that, of course, with
particular reference to the position of the UK. The UK is a very important partner. Leaving the
EU would be bad for the UK and for the EU. But we should not reduce that debate to the
question of more or less Europe? The question is how to build a better Europe: a Europe
that makes the best choices and achieves the most benefits for its people. Certainly, in some
areas, the EU needs to step back. And the Commission is now addressing this to good
effect. But there are also areas in which we arent yet making the most of EU cooperation.
The perfect example is of course the single market, which is not only an engine of economic
growth and innovation, but also the cement that binds us together and makes us strong. And
thats why we need to keep a deeper and fairer single market high on the agenda. When it
comes to deepening the market, Im thinking mainly of services and the digital market. Two
sectors that are almost completely untapped, even though most Europeans earn their living
in one or the other. We need to facilitate shopping online in other member states, attune
legislation to the digital age, and tackle unfair geo-blocking. In the market for services, the

AVT16/AZ117848

Dutch Presidency will also be pressing for states to reduce the number of regulated
professions.
But Im also thinking of the challenges and opportunities in the area of energy and climate
change. At last months successful summit in Paris the EU presented a strong united front. In
the follow-up process, its vital that we make full use of the single markets innovative
potential. Thats something the Dutch Presidency wants to take forward.
We also need to make sure that all workers receive equal pay for equal work in equal
circumstances. Yes, its a question of fairness, but not of fairness alone. Because a fairer
single market will help maintain support for free movement, and will help guarantee that the
market functions properly. So this issue will also get a big push during our Presidency.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dirk Stikker was right: European cooperation is not a simple thing, accomplished with a bit of
good will and the stroke of a pen. In many cases, the EU doesnt have ready-made solutions
for the problems we face. Every country has its own interests and considerations, and
negotiations can be tough. But its like a football match: its not the style of play that matters,
but the final result. And as we all know: Europe scores most of its goals in injury time.
Europe has shown that it can tackle major crises. The financial and economic crisis
prompted us to step up oversight of our banks and to place our currency on a more solid
footing. Weve taken a common line on Russias actions in Ukraine. And weve closed a deal
with Turkey on the refugee crisis. Step by step were moving forward. Thats in keeping with
the European tradition, and it is in that conviction that the Netherlands is looking ahead to its
Presidency.
Our first and most important ambition in the months to come is to be a good and effective
Presidency. One that makes sure that all 28 member states feel heard, and can play their
part. One that serves the process effectively, and takes account of everyones interests. But
also a Presidency with the ambition to achieve concrete results. And we can only do that by
working closely with the European institutions. And above all the European Parliament.
The Netherlands looks forward to working with you. Indeed, it is only by working together that
we can solve the problems facing the Union. Let us do so with the same resolve shown by
Sir Winston Churchill when he addressed the Hall of Knights in 1948. We cannot rest upon
benevolent platitudes and generalities, he said. Our powers may be limited but we know,
and we must affirm, what we mean and what we want. In other words, theres a job to be
AVT16/AZ117848

done. So lets get to work.

Thank you.

AVT16/AZ117848